Mighty Love

Mighty Love

by The SpinnersThe Spinners

Overview

Riding high off of a Grammy nod as Producer of the Year for his work on the Spinners 1973 eponymous album, Philly soul mastermind Thom Bell infused their next collection, Mighty Love (1974), with the similar mix of lushly scored slow jams and stylish midtempo R&B entries. Although the group had been around since the mid-'50s, by the time the quintet began their stint on Atlantic, the lineup featured Henry Fambrough (baritone vocal), Billy Henderson (tenor vocal), Pervis Jackson (bass vocal), Bobbie Smith (tenor vocal), and the then-most-recent addition in 1971, Philippe Wynne (tenor vocal). Several of Bell's distinct arrangements would not only become instant enthusiast favorites, but crossover hits as well. While chronologically the first cut to make the charts -- as it had been released several weeks before the long-player -- the title track "Mighty Love" was ironically the last on the platter. The luminous and brisk melody is complemented by optimistic leads from Smith and Wynne. The latter turned in a soulful outing comparable to that of Al Green. When featured as a focus track, it was split into two parts with "Mighty Love, Pt. 1" vaulting to the top of the R&B survey and up to number 20 as a Pop single. The Bell co-penned "I'm Coming Home" followed with a chipper groove that showed off the tight horn section and a vibe that would reappear slightly reconfigured and significantly pumped up on "Rubberband Man" several years later. Conversely, the tender seven-plus-minute ballad "Love Don't Love Nobody" is a heart-wrenching yet all too common tale of unrequited affection. It's likewise a perfect vehicle for Wynne's precise tone and elastic vocal range, following in the successful footsteps of "I'm Coming Home" and "Love Don't Love Nobody" landing in the upper reaches (number four) of the R&B as well as the Top 20 (number 15) of the Pop countdown. Tucked in between the more prominent selections are a few lesser-known but equally worthwhile sides, such as the exquisite and refined "He'll Never Love You Like I Do" and the funky, laid-back "Ain't No Price on Happiness," oozing the unmistakable sound of Philly soul.

Product Details

Release Date: 05/20/2008
Label: Rhino Flashback
UPC: 0081227992798
catalogNumber: 71586

Tracks

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Spinners   Primary Artist
Philippe Wynne   Tenor (Vocal)
Thom Bell   Conductor,Keyboards
Rocco Bene   Trumpet
Yvette Benson   Background Vocals
Carla Benton   Background Vocals
Roland Chambers   Guitar
Linda Creed   Background Vocals
Joseph DeAngelis   French Horn
Joe DeAnglis   French Horn
Don Renaldo   Strings
Bobby Eli   Guitar
Jack Faith   Flute,Alto Saxophone
Henry Fambrough   Baritone (Vocal),Group Member
Norman Harris   Guitar
Robert Hartzell   Trumpet
Barbara Ingram   Background Vocals
Pervis Jackson   Bass (Vocal),Group Member
Freddy Joiner   Trombone
Eddie Keskarella   Trombone
Vince Montana   Marimbas,Vibes
Larry Washington   Percussion
Earl Young   Drums
Bobbie Smith   Tenor (Vocal),Group Member
Billy Henderson   Tenor (Vocal),Group Member
Ronnie Baker   Bass
Bob Moore   Trombone

Technical Credits

Roy Brown   Composer
David Murray   Engineer
Thom Bell   Arranger,Producer
Joseph B. Jefferson   Composer
Don Murray   Engineer
Gary Peterson   Discographical Annotation
Jimmy Roach   Producer
Jimmy Sigler   Composer
Charles Simmons   Composer
Joe Tarsia   Engineer
A. Scott Galloway   Liner Notes
Stanislaw Zagorski   Illustrations
Louise Williams   Liner Notes,Original Liner Notes

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